JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – After losing in the semifinals of the District 5 Tournament EKM Head Coach Kevin Strobel said it was a wake-up call for his team.

The call was answered Thursday night as the Rebels punched their ticket to the Class B State Tournament with a 63-55 win over District 6 champions Strasbug/Zeeland.

In front of a rowdy crowd, the EKM Rebels took home the Region 3 Championship and grabbed a bid to state for the first time as a co-op. Edgeley is making its first appearance at State since 1990.

The first quarter saw nine lead changes. Both teams alternated baskets and leads through the first seven minutes until EKM grabbed a 9-7 lead. EKM didn’t surrender the lead from there until the end of the game. Momentum shifted heavily to EKM at the end of the first half when Jace Hanson drilled a 25-foot buzzer beater to send the Rebels into the break with a six point lead.

EKM built up a double-digit lead in the 2nd half and jumped on the back of Alex Huber. The junior led the way with 24 points while shooting 8-9 at the free throw line.

Strasburg/Zeeland hung around but the final three minutes of the game doomed the Clippers as the shooting went ice cold. Strasburg was led by Jake Wagner who finished with 14 points.

State begins Thursday, March 19th at Bismarck Event Center. Seeding will be announced this weekend.

Other notables from Thursday night:

3rd Place Game: Oakes 75, Ellendale 73

Senior Athlete of the Year: Seth Nelson, Carrington

Coach of the Year: Brian Vance, Ellendale